Accidental Surrogate for Alpha

#Chapter 474 Awake

Ella

I’m groggy, a few hours later, when I wake up because I honestly haven’t gotten much sleep. But still, I’m instantly aware that I’m awake because something in my body is…different.

s my eyes crack open, I have absolutely no idea what it is, and no real interest in finding out. Because nothing feels wrong or off…just… different…

So, I yawn and snuggle my body back against my naked mate, my spine pressed to his warm stomach. Sinclair gives a deep, sleepy little growl as he tightens his arm around me, holding me close even as he sleeps. I smile at this, happiness sweeping through me as I think about how lovely it is to have a mate that holds me and protects me even when he’s mostly unconscious.

And he’s so warm, and the bed is so soft, and the sheets are so smooth under my bare skin that I almost…

Almost fall back asleep…

But then? My eyes suddenly fly open.

Because there is…there is something new within me.

As I start to put the pieces together, I am instantly, starkly awake – and so is Rafe, I realize, as I peer through the dark over the side of the bed. My sweet baby is peering at me curiously through the slats of his crib – almost as if he can feel it too

This new…new thing within me, a bond that wasn’t there hours ago – but which is there now, just a tiny silver thread of something new

My hands fly to my mouth and my eyes instantly fill with tears because even though I didn’t experience this with Rafe – my wolf wasn’t awake then, after all, to help me feel it – I suddenly know precisely what it is.

My voice is shaky as I breathe the word, hardly daring to voice it.

“…baby – ”

Rafe burbles something, smiling at me and leaning forward, grabbing the edges of his crib, trying to pull himself up so that he can be closer – almost like he knows it too –

And suddenly I’m laughing – the sound bubbling out of me, rich with joy. “Baby!” I say again, sitting up in a flash.

foggy with sleep, his had slipping to my waist as I spin to him, pushing him onto his back and throwing a leg over his hips so

shriek, thrilled, almost in pieces because of it, completely unable

– worried but one look at my thrilled face makes

and giggling as I lean forward.

me confused for a second – “Ella,”

his eyes suddenly go wide and I know, instantly, that he feels

a little so that I’m sitting in his lap, his arms going tight around me as he stares down into my face. “Oh my god,” he murmurs, still shocked,

I shriek, throwing my hands in the air above

baby,” he murmurs, his eyes suddenly flooding with tears as a mystified smile finds his lips. “Oh my god,

as I wrap my arms around his shoulders, as he tucks his head against my neck and takes a few shaky, happy breaths,

and joy, and

put my hand on my mate’s cheek and pull his face up to mine, grinning at him with abandon and wiping away his shocked and happy tears. “A little baby, Dominic,” I murmur, beaming into his face. “A

ever gotten, Ella,” he murmurs, staring at me like I’m a marvel as he sniffs his tears away, still laughing a little in shock. He pulls away from me just a little bit, looking down at my stomach almost like he will see a baby bump – though of course

up to mine and kissing him, passing all my own joy down the bond. Because this moment – I’ve been waiting for it

me close and rocking me back and forth before he lets

he says, his voice eager and

breathe, suddenly curious and a little anxious – is the

my cheek. “Close your eyes,” he murmurs, his voice excited, if soft. I do as he says, loosing a deep breath and draping my arms lightly around his neck before I close my eyes. I feel Sinclair connect to me down our

forward to it, almost as if he puts a mental

glowing rush, I suddenly

brother’s, but also has a line of sweetness and determination

I open my eyes they’re filled with tears

all this?” I ask quietly, completely overwhelmed. “When Rafe was still

Slowly, Sinclair nods.

you tell me!?” I ask, smacking him

be jealous,” he murmurs, “which

I look down at my flat belly and press a hand over it where she exists,